Ice Cream Skies: A Brief Review Of The Zoo Avenue EP From The Laughing Chimes On Slumberland Records

Is there something in the water in Ohio that a couple of kids can grow up to sound this good, this perfect? The Laughing Chimes is a new band from the Buckeye State and Zoo Avenue is the group's new release on Slumberland Records. This is an exceptional record, and that's saying something considering this imprint's already remarkably high batting average.

Evan and Quinn Seurkamp kick things off with the Let's Active-y "Ice Cream Skies", a burst of energy that reminds you of why you like this kind of music in the first place. Then "Laurel Heights" chimes its way into your ears. Like Mike Mills singing an early R.E.M. number, the selection is just absolutely perfect pop. And, on something like "Zoo Avenue" one can hear faint echoes of bands from outside the U.S., like New Zealand's The Clean or England's The June Brides. There is simply nothing here that doesn't take you right to that place where you're reminded how much pleasure music can bring.

The Laughing Chimes have constructed a clutch of songs here that crackle and chime. This is an audacious release, because it causes a listener to ask: "Where were these guys before now and why didn't they surface before now?" But, thankfully, they're on a label that nurtures talents like these. Slumberland Records seems the perfect home for The Laughing Chimes, and for anyone who follows the label and loves releases from Chime School and The Umbrellas, and reissues from East Village, to use a few examples, will absolutely adore this EP. I cannot wait to hear more from Evan and Quinn Seurkamp. All hail The Laughing Chimes!

Zoo Avenue is out on Friday via Slumberland Records.

[Photo: Slumberland Records]